Packers' Biggest Reason for Optimism, Case for Winning NFC North 1 Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their football game Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers’ Biggest Reason for Optimism, Case for Winning NFC North

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:46 AM ET

The Packers failed to take down the eventual NFC North Division champion Detroit Lions during their pair of matchups this season, but the NFL stars might be aligning for Green Bay to make a legitimate run at the division crown in 2025.

Given the injuries that the Lions have had to deal with during training camp, the uncertainty that accompanies replacing two coordinators, and the attrition of making deep playoff runs for consecutive seasons but coming up short, the Packers may be built to capitalize on the potential struggles Detroit is going to need to navigate.

Analyst Makes Bullish Packers Case in NFC North

Over at NFL Media, analysts Ali Bhanpuri and Adam Rank put together win totals and expectations for each team across the league, predicting that the Packers will win the NFC North this season.

“The Packers are a very good team,” Rank and Bhanpuri write. “And they will make the playoffs for the third straight time. Adding veteran running back Josh Jacobs to the offense worked out great last season, and rookie receiver Matthew Golden is going to be a stud this year. Plus, Jeff Hafley’s defense might actually be better than the group that ranked fifth overall in 2024.”

Golden’s impact on an offense that already thrives on explosiveness could spark the biggest improvement for Green Bay thi s season, and if the Packers’ young personnel on defense continues to develop, Hafley’s defense could make major strides, as well.

Given the young core that the Packers have built and the issues surrounding the Lions, uncertainty the Vikings are navigating with J.J. McCarthy taking over at quarterbacks and the potential growing pains the Bears may experience in Caleb Williams’ second season and first with new head coach Ben Johnson, Green Bay may be best positioned to make a deep run.

Packers' Biggest Reason for Optimism, Case for Winning NFC North 2 Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) stiff-arms Houston Texans safety Eric Murray (23) during the third quarter of their game Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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